The Natural Philosopher

Great looking place and very friendly staff. Lots of unique fairly priced cocktails, well made with locally sourced ingredients. Picklebacks are really good too!

Just did a whisky tasting here last night. I didn’t know what to expect. It was absolutely amazing. The person presenting was from East London Liquor. They were really knowledgeable and helpful. I enjoyed the set up that meant we sat together as a group. Highly recommended trying it out - they seem to have guest whisky companies do tastings.

The Natural Philosopher was a real treat. The menu drinks were fantastic and Josh can create any drink to match your palette. This spot was a great recommendation from the NYT and should not be missed.

Such a lovely little gem of a cocktail bar! It caught our eye as we walked past so we went in for happy hour and stayed for awhile. The owner Josh was so lovely and fun to speak to. And the cocktails and picklebacks were delicious! The atmosphere inside is so magical too. We'll be back soon for sure!

I only stumbled upon The Natural Philosopher recently—and almost in the same breath learned it will close forever at the end of August 2025. The news landed oddly, like being told a dear friend was moving away just moments after meeting them. Within seconds of stepping into its subterranean embrace, I knew this place was something rare. It carried that elusive bourgeois-bohemian charm—warm, layered, intimate—where every detail seemed quietly considered. The menu read like a love letter to craft itself. Behind the bar, Mateo worked not from recipes, but from conversation. I offered only half-formed ideas, vague sketches of flavors I craved, and he somehow distilled them into three of the best cocktails I’ve tasted in years. Its closing is a reminder that magic is fleeting. The places that make a city feel alive are never permanent; they appear for a time—and are gone. If you can, go. In these final weeks, descend those steps, sit at that bar, and let someone who cares deeply about their craft create something just for you. Some losses can’t be prevented. This one, at least, can be savored before it’s gone.

I walked into an interesting-looking bar and went straight to the counter to ask if I could just order half a pint and pay right away, as I didn’t have much time. The waitress (young energy guy) told me they only do table service and asked me to sit down — even though the place was tiny and he could’ve easily just charged me and handed me a can (there was no draft beer anyway). So I sat at a dirty table — the rest were booked. A waiter came over to another table and started chatting with them for ages, giving them friendly recommendations, then walked around, cleaned a different table (not mine), completely ignoring me. Then, as if nothing happened, he tossed some dirty dishes on the station and casually finished what looked like his own espresso martini. That was my cue to leave. 20:25 01.11.25

An incredible little stop with some of the best cocktails in the city served by some of the best bartenders. Everything we tried was 10/10 and cannot recommend enough. If you haven’t been you are truly missing out!!!

Stumbling in late one night with my partner on our first trip to London from the States is still one of the best memories of my life. The warmth of the hospitality, the care in the drinks, and the magic of the atmosphere left such a lasting mark on me. That night inspired me to dream of opening a place of my own someday. Sharing a fernet shot with our coins will always be one of my dearest memories.

We visited The Natural Philospher as the final stop on a rum tour. It was brilliant! The owner, Josh Powell, gave us a great introduction to the place. It looked amazing, totally not what you expect looking at the front of the building. All the staff were super friendly. Definitely worth going the extra distance out of Central London to visit this wonderful gem!

Fantastic bar - really well balanced cocktails, a wide but thoughtfully curated selection of drinks and the kind of unassuming but considerate service that keeps you lingering over a cocktail for a little longer just to enjoy the atmosphere.